Bicycle saddle structure and method of assembly thereof

Abstract

A bicycle saddle structure includes a load-bearing shell having an elongate front portion, a widened rear portion and a bottom surface with a front seat and a rear seat which are formed at a predetermined minimum distance (dMu\l) therebetween, rails with a rear end portion, and a front end portion which is designed to interact with the front seat of the shell. The rails have a maximum longitudinal extension (Ir) longer than the predetermined minimum distance (dMu\l) between the seats. The structure includes a cam linkage member which is designed to be interposed between the front seat of the shell and the front portion of the rails to cause the shell to be snap fitted to the rails. A method of assembly of the above bicycle saddle structure is also provided.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Technical Field[0002]The present invention generally finds application in the field of sport and leisure accessories, and particularly relates to a bicycle saddle structure to be attached to a bicycle frame or the like and a method of assembly thereof.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]Bicycle saddles of the above mentioned type typically include a shell of a substantially rigid material, having a narrow front portion and a widened rear portion, a user supporting top surface and rails, generally made of thread-like metal material for connection of the shell to a bicycle frame.[0005]The shell is generally attached to the rails at its front and rear end portions via suitable anchor means.[0006]In one known method of attachment, the rails are fixed to the shell first at the rear portion and then at the front portion thereof.[0007]This step is carried out by forcing the specially shaped front portion of the rails into a suitable seat formed in the front part or ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]The object of this invention is to overcome the above drawbacks, by providing a bicycle saddle structure that achieves high efficiency and relative cost effectiveness.

[0020]A particular object is to provide a bicycle saddle structure that can be assembled in a highly simple and quick manner without requiring any special tool.

[0021]Yet another object is to provide a saddle structure that can be assembled in such a manner that no failure stresses occur in its parts during assembly.

Problems solved by technology

This assembly method suffers from the apparent recognized drawback that both the shell and the rails are subjected to considerable stresses that often cause their failure, as well as plastic deformation that affects their mechanical properties.

Therefore, the shell will be struck a heavy blow, which may often cause cracking or even, in extreme cases, failure.

While this arrangement ensures quick and simple connection between the rails and the shell, it still suffers from the drawback that the holding force of the connection is only provided by the nose piece and particularly by the fastener member, which is apparently a weak point of the whole structure.

Therefore, the stresses that are typically transmitted to the saddle during riding may lead with time to failure at the fastening point and to disconnection of the shell from the rails, thereby apparently affecting rider's safety.

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